A thief was shot dead! The shooter left a misleading trail.
A 66-year-old homeowner in Salzburg-Gnigl is facing trial for murder after fatally shooting a burglar. Prosecutors say the case does not support his claim of self-defense and may involve fabricated evidence.
The shooting occurred on July 31, 2025, when a man shot at a fleeing intruder in his yard. A bullet struck the Hungarian victim in the back of the head from a distance of 9.15 meters. Investigators say the final shot was fired from a kneeling position with a legally owned 9mm handgun, although the homeowner claimed he was aiming for the shoulder.
The defendant claims that the thief threatened him with a knife, which forced him to defend himself. The prosecutors reject this version, arguing that shooting at the upper body shows acceptance of a deadly outcome. The victim, who is 31 years old, denied carrying a knife or attacking the homeowner.
According to the indictment and reports from the Kronen Zeitung, the suspect may have attempted to stage a self-defense scenario. A knife was placed on the balcony after the shooting, and only the homeowner's DNA was found on its handle. Investigators also noted inconsistencies in the alleged break-in, as visible damage only appeared days later, raising doubts that it was created afterward.
Prosecutors believe that the shooting was driven by anger rather than fear, as they described the homeowner as feeling insulted because the thief ignored his order to stop and continued running. The man legally purchased the weapon in 2024 and received training that same year. Although he reported anxiety disorder, experts found him mentally competent to stand trial.